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Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of the Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, recently had a conversation with Fatima Cody Stanford, an esteemed obesity medicine physician-scientist, educator, and policy maker at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. As an expert in the field of obesity medicine, Stanford’s work encompasses medicine, public health, policy, and disparities. In addition, she is an alumna of the 1995 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a renowned competition owned and produced by the Society for Science.

Stanford credits ISEF as being pivotal in shaping her career as a physician-scientist. Through her participation in the program, she gained confidence and developed a mental framework for pursuing scientific endeavors. Growing up in Atlanta and attending Benjamin E. Mays High School, Stanford had the opportunity to attend a math and science academy where she spent summers conducting science projects. During that time, she had the privilege of working with a scientist named Dale Edmondson at the Rollins Research Center at Emory University and even received funding from the National Institutes of Health for her work. Stanford acknowledges that working in a productive lab at a young age allowed her to gain independence and navigate the scientific space on her own.

As one of the first fellowship-trained obesity medicine physicians worldwide, Stanford has made significant contributions to the field. With over 190 peer-reviewed publications, she is highly regarded for her research. Her journey into obesity research was not initially planned, as she originally intended to become an orthopedic surgeon. However, during her master’s in public health program at Emory, she realized she did not fully understand obesity and its complexities. This realization propelled her to explore the field further.

Stanford’s passion for obesity research was solidified during her time as a fourth-year resident at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Reflecting on her experiences, she realized that there were tools available to treat patients with obesity. This revelation led her to question why the biology of obesity was not being taught extensively and why there was a lack of research into its clinical implications. These questions became the foundation for her research, which involves studying the impact of metabolic and bariatric surgery on cardiometabolic outcomes in children and adults, investigating pharmacotherapy options, and exploring issues related to BMI.

In her writing and lectures, Stanford emphasizes the importance of overcoming stigma surrounding obesity. She acknowledges that stigma is pervasive in this field of medicine and that patients often face judgment due to the visible nature of the disease. Stanford also highlights the biases that physicians and healthcare providers have towards patients with obesity, further exacerbating the problem. Overcoming stigma and promoting compassion is a crucial aspect of Stanford’s work.

When it comes to the treatment of obesity, Stanford takes various factors into consideration. One of the primary considerations is a patient’s insurer, as insurance coverage can dictate the therapies available. This reliance on insurance coverage sometimes restricts treatment options, as certain visits or interventions may not be covered unless the patient develops additional complications such as diabetes. Stanford believes that patients should have access to preventive measures and treatments without having to wait for more severe health problems to arise.

As a woman in STEM, Stanford has faced her fair share of challenges. She often finds herself needing to achieve ten times more than her peers to gain recognition. Stanford’s extensive CV, spanning 198 pages, showcases her dedication and hard work. However, she still feels like it’s not enough. She faces constant scrutiny and is frequently told to do more or that she is not ready for certain opportunities. Despite this, she remains outspoken and unafraid to raise her voice, advocating for herself and others. Stanford highlighted a challenge she faced during medical school when she brought attention to the history of the Medical College of Georgia’s Anatomy and Physiology Department employing an enslaved person to rob Black grave sites. When she used her executive privilege to acknowledge this history, she faced backlash and discrimination from her classmates, with derogatory remarks made about her appearance.

In addition to her work in obesity research, Stanford also thinks about the inequities in our society. She published an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, discussing the consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate affirmative action in colleges and universities. She believes this decision erects more barriers for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds or lower socioeconomic status, which is deeply concerning to her.

Overall, Stanford’s dedication to understanding and addressing obesity as a disease is evident in her research, advocacy, and compassionate approach to patient care. Her work transcends traditional boundaries, encompassing clinical, research, and policy aspects, and she continues to be a trailblazer in her field. The AI legalese decoder can assist in simplifying and deciphering complex legal language, making it accessible to a wider audience and aiding in the understanding of important scientific and medical research.

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